The truth is more mundane, but the issues raised are still of major significance for the First Amendment.
It's important to note — contrary to some reports — that H.R. 347 doesn't create any new crimes,
or directly apply to the Occupy protests. The bill slightly rewrites a
short trespass law, originally passed in 1971 and amended a couple of
times since, that covers areas subject to heightened Secret Service
security measures.

These restricted areas include locations where individuals under
Secret Service protection are temporarily located, and certain large
special events like a presidential inauguration. They can also include
large public events like the Super Bowl and the presidential nominating
conventions (troublingly, the Department of Homeland Security has
significant discretion in designating what qualifies as one of these
special events).
The original statute, unchanged by H.R. 347,made certain conduct
with respect to these restricted areas a crime, including simple
trespass, actions in or near the restricted area that would "disrupt the
orderly conduct of Government," and blocking the entrance or exit to
the restricted area. READ MORE